Theatre, track and football, now that's quite the mix for Kayden JohnsonBack to video

Kaeden Johnson has yet to meet a stage — or sport — he doesn’t like.

“Um, nah, I’m pretty open to all sports and I just enjoy the fun of it,” says Johnson, a 22-year-old native of Kerrobert who is an imposing figure at 6-foot-3 and 200-plus pounds.

An accomplished track athlete and football player at the U Sports university level, Johnson also played basketball and hockey when he was younger. He is eager to try his hand at bobsleigh and rugby, too.

Johnson is a University of Saskatchewan transfer who runs track and plays football at York University in Toronto, where he studies theatre and aspires an acting career in film or television.

He’s performed in several plays on the York campus, including Moss Park and Angels in America.

Advertisement

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content continued

If football and theatre seems like an odd combo, Johnson isn’t about to disagree.

“I’m the only athlete at the university who’s in theatre,” he is quick to point out. “I’ve always enjoyed acting and I’d like to enjoy acting in theatre, film and television. The theatre program at York is highly renowned. I could take the path to film and television with acting.”

Johnson, who was always involved in sports while growing up in a small Saskatchewan rural town, dabbled in theatre with a couple of high school plays. When he went on to begin his post-secondary school in Saskatoon at the U of S, he enrolled in the college of kinesiology. He took some drama classes as extra credits. His acting ability turned some heads and changed his mind.

Advertisement

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content continued

“I decided to switch,” explains Johnson. “Professors recommended that I just do acting and be a theatre major because they liked my talent.”

Off to York and T.O. he would go.

A former U of S Huskie red-shirt, Johnson was given the green light to do both football and track at York.

“I was just looking for a change,” he explains. “Toronto and the city (are appealing) and I had connections with the coaches and athletes out there. I actually knew people before going. I knew I had resources and people to help me out though sports and school while I made the switch.”

On the track, he is the U Sports 60 metres hurdles champion who has done his share of decathlons and pentathlons. His goal is to become an Olympian.

Advertisement

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content continued

On the gridiron, he carried the ball 56 times for 270 yards and added five catches for 66 yards. He has represented Team Saskatchewan nationally and Team Canada internationally. He dreams of playing in either the Canadian Football League or National Football League.

Johnson, who has playing football and running track since Grade 8, has two more years of U Sports eligibility.

Johnson was hoping to qualify for Canada and compete internationally this summer. However, due to an ankle injury, he was unable to race in the senior men’s 110 metres hurdles final at the Canadian track and field championships in Ottawa.

Advertisement

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content continued

He is open to add some new sports in the future.

“I am supposed to go to Calgary and do some bobsleigh testing at the end of July,” notes Johnson, whose younger brother Colby has major junior hockey experience with the Prince George Cougars, Prince Albert Raiders and Sherbrooke Phoenix.

SUMMER IN SASKATOON

For the summer months, Johnson is training with Saskatoon Track and Field Club and U of S Huskies coach Jason Reindl at Griffiths Stadium in Nutrien Park.

Earlier this spring, he took top honours as the RBC Training Ground top performer. That has resulted in much appreciated funding and sponsorship through RBC.

Advertisement

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content continued

He can get help with travel costs, as well as accommodation and nutrition.

Johnson had learned about RBC through decathlete Pierce LePage, who also trains at York. This year, he decided to go and do it. He scored and performed well at the qualifying event in Toronto. He advanced to the regional final for Saskatchewan and Manitoba and performed even better to win the event on May 5.

Athletes were tested through the 40-metre sprint, broad jump, triple broad jump, six-second speed bike, an arm-leg endurance bike, and a strength portion which included an arm pull, arm press and leg press.

“Through winning it, I now get to be sponsored and funded by RBC as an athlete,” he says proudly.

“I was really excited when I won it. It’s definitely a major stepping stone in my goals.”

Share this article in your social network

Share this Story: Theatre, track and football, now that's quite the mix for Kayden Johnson

Trending

Related Stories

This Week in Flyers

Article Comments

Comments

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

Notice for the Postmedia Network

This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.